12.6.7

Indefinite Pronouns & Using 'y', 'en'

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Indefinite Pronouns

These pronouns refer to general and unspecific things.

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Key vocab

  • Quelqu'un - someone.
  • Tout le monde - everyone.
  • Quelque chose - something.
  • Plusieurs - several.
  • Tout - all, everything.
  • Chacun(e) - each one.
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Example sentences with indefinite pronouns

  • Tout le monde aime le chocolat.
    • Everone likes chocolate.
  • Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde
    • There is something for everyone.
  • Plusieurs personnes sont forcées de quitter leur maison.
    • Several people are being forced to leave their homes.

Using 'Y' and 'En'

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Uses of 'y'

  • 'Y' can be used to mean there.
  • 'Y' is used to talk about a location that has already been mentioned.
    • Je travaille à l'université → J'y travaille.
      • I work for the university → I work there.
  • 'Y' can also mean 'it' or 'them' with verbs that are followed by 'à'.
    • Je pense aux vacances → J'y pense.
      • I'm thinking about the holidays → I'm thinking about it.
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More uses of 'y'

  • 'Y' is also used in some common expressions.
    • Il y a...
      • There is...
    • Vas-y.
      • Do it!, go on!
    • Allons-y, on y va.
      • Let's go.
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En - of it, of them, some, any

  • 'En' has a variety of meanings depending on the context.
  • 'En' replaces words about quantity and any words with 'de'.
    • J'ai besoin de pain → J'en ai besoin.
      • I need bread → I need it.
    • J'ai mangé du gâteau → J'en ai mangé.
      • I ate some cake → I ate some.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

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